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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Topi Takala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pluto Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takala comes to the cage accompanied by Volga. Palhares is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by TOQUINHO. This should be fireworks!
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| 198 cm
29
194 lbs
26 - 6 - 0 |
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181 cm
31
171 lbs
25 - 2 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
26 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Topi Takala!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
25 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pluto Palhares!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takala throws a leg kick
and Palhares counters with a nice double leg into side control. Takala won't be happy with that.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Palhares in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Palhares working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Palhares wants to lay and pray for a moment but Takala keeps working.
Takala tries to improve position but can't.
Palhares throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Takala is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Palhares misses with the ground and pound.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Takala is trying to improve his position.
Palhares has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Palhares throws a strike aimed at the side of Takala's head but Takala avoids it well.
Takala tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Palhares is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Takala is not content to let Palhares control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Palhares wants to lay and pray for a moment but Takala keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Palhares tries to pass to full mount but Takala defends it.
Takala is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Jorzi GYM, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Takala is looking to control Palhares's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Takala avoid being mounted?
Palhares seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Takala does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala is trying to get back to full guard.
Palhares wants to free his trapped foot but Takala is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Palhares looks to land a strike but Takala avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Palhares slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Palhares with a nice head shot there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala looking for a sweep. Not yet Takala, not yet.
Palhares postures up.
Takala preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Takala is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Takala keeping moving, preventing Palhares from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takala wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Pluto Palhares dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Takala swings for the body but Palhares moves out of range.
Palhares misses with a body shot.
Takala scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Topi Takala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takala tries to land a leg kick but Palhares saw it coming and moves away.
Takala swings for the body but Palhares moves out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Palhares.
Takala throws a looping overhand right but Palhares ducks down to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Palhares as he checks the leg kick.
Takala swings for the body but Palhares moves out of range.
Takala scores with a jab.
Palhares scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Takala.
Takala checks the leg kick.
Topi Takala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takala throws a predictable looking body shot
and Palhares counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Palhares is looking to advance position but Takala won't allow it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Palhares content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Takala trying to hold on to Palhares's head to control him but Palhares postures up.
Palhares thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Palhares throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala has hold of Palhares's hands but Palhares slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Takala is looking for a sweep. Palhares is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Palhares works his way into side control.
Takala regains half guard, as Palhares was trying to land strikes.
Takala is trying to maintain the position but Palhares is very close to passing his half guard.
Palhares thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala blocking the ground and pound attempt from Palhares.
Takala regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Palhares.
Palhares trying to control the position from guard on top but Takala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Palhares is looking to work some ground and pound but Takala has wrist control.
Palhares loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Palhares tries to free his leg and advance position but Takala is retaining full guard.
Palhares trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Palhares trying to control the position from guard on top but Takala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Pluto Palhares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
A low kick from Palhares is predictable there
and Palhares takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Takala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Palhares.
That kick from Palhares tenderised Takala's leg. Takala is trying to keep his angry face on.
Takala misses with a body punch
and Palhares counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Palhares not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Palhares is trying to control. Takala wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Palhares trying to pass the guard but Takala defending well.
Palhares prevents Takala from standing back up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Palhares missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Palhares seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Takala does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Palhares throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Palhares seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Palhares is looking to advance position but Takala won't allow it.
Palhares wants to take a breather but Takala is having none of it.
Palhares missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Palhares not landing any meaningful shots this time.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Palhares is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Takala reverses the position - he's now on top in Palhares's guard.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Palhares. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Palhares looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Takala passes into half guard.
Palhares actively working from the bottom here.
Palhares manages to get to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takala tries to free his leg and advance position but Palhares is retaining full guard.
Palhares looking for a sweep. Not yet Palhares, not yet.
Takala wants to get up but he can't break Palhares's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Palhares throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Palhares wants to sweep but no luck.
Takala is stalling in the full guard.
Takala stopping the sweep attempt from Palhares.
Palhares keeping moving, preventing Takala from controlling successfully.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares trying to control the position.
Takala stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Palhares swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Topi Takala just wasn't active enough.
Takala cracks the inside of Palhares's front leg.
Takala scores with a jab to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takala misses with a body shot.
Palhares swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Pluto Palhares really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Takala attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Takala is looking to wear down Palhares with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Takala has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Palhares.
Palhares looks to land a body kick but Takala moved away.
Palhares moves out of range of the strikes.
Takala looks to land a left hand but Palhares moved out of range nicely.
Takala really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Takala misses with a hook.
Palhares fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Takala wants to land a leg kick but Palhares is out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Takala fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Palhares sprawls well initially but Takala persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Palhares is trying to get back to full guard.
Takala perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Palhares tries to roll over but Takala keeps him under control.
Palhares trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Palhares is desperately trying to improve his position but Takala has a good base and remains in mount.
Takala controlling from mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takala stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Takala misses with an uppercut
and Palhares counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Palhares.
Palhares is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Palhares preventing the sweep.
Takala controls Palhares momentarily but Palhares frees himself.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Palhares trying to control the position from guard on top but Takala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Palhares throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Topi Takala has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Takala throws a leg kick that is checked
and Palhares decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Takala's guard.
Palhares with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Palhares working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Palhares is in close to Takala's body, working some short punches and elbows.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares looking to sit in guard and control but Takala gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Takala being controlled here momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Palhares looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Takala would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takala avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Pluto Palhares has got the better of the ground game so far.
Palhares has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Takala can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Pluto Palhares dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!
Takala misses with an uppercut.
Takala scores with a kick to the body.
Takala stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Takala misses with a right hand
and Palhares counters with a takedown into side control.
Palhares lands a decent elbow from side control.
Palhares is putting a hurting on Takala here, landing some big shots from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Takala is not content to let Palhares control the position.
Palhares tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Palhares trying to control the position but Takala is working away.
Palhares wants to take a breather but Takala manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Palhares.
Topi Takala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares wants to control from the top but Takala keeps moving.
Takala keeping full guard, as Palhares tries to pass.
Takala is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares working some strikes from top position.
Takala avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Palhares with a flurry of punches that miss.
Takala being controlled here, momentarily.
Palhares tries to free his leg and advance position but Takala is retaining full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takala keeping moving, preventing Palhares from controlling successfully.
Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Takala throws a hook but Palhares avoids it easily.
Takala swings for the body but Palhares moves out of range.
Palhares avoids the body shot from Takala.
Takala gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Takala!
And that's the end of the fight!
Pluto Palhares comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Palhares winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:50
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 45:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pluto Palhares!
Pluto Palhares is the new middleweight champion!
An out of breath Pluto Palhares thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
74% |
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